ELUSIVE BUCKLEY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 370, 2 June 1928, Page 1

ELUSIVE BUCKLEY

Raids Northcote House, Steals Clothes, Shaves, and has a Meal

ESCAPED PRISONER IDENTIFIED

WHILE detectives and warders scoured the countryside for John Buckley, the escaped prisoner, last evening, he was. enjoying a meal and a “clean-up” at the residence of Mr. James Mays, Stafford Road, Northcote. Buckley’s exploit was the most impertinent which has yet been recorded. After dressing himself in Mr. Mays's clothes, and shaving in the bathroom, Buckley went to a store and purchased some nugget boot polish and brushes to clean his shoes.

Among the things which were taken from Mr. Mays’s house was a partially used ferry steamer ticket, and it is believed that Buckley used the ticket to come across to Auckland last night. The police discount this story, as they say he would be easy prey if he ventured into Auckland. Buckley evidently eluded his searchers yesterday, and left the Birkenhead district for Northcote, where the police believe he is hiding at present. Mr. Mays, who is overseer for the Northcote Borough Council, returned to his home in Stafford Road last evening at about 5.20 o’clock. He changed his clothes hurriedly, and left the house again 10 minutes later. Mrs. Mays had been away from home all day, and had left the table set for a meal when she and her husband returned in the evening. Mr. and Mrs. Mays went home at about 9.20 o’clock last evening. When they tried to open the back door they found it barricaded with chairs, which they pushed aside. The table on which the meal had been left was in a sorry state.. Half a pound of butter had gone, as well as a lib jar of strawberry jam, and one and a-half pints of milk. The “guest” had topped off with, pickled onions. RESTOCKED HIS WARDROBE Mr. and Mrs. Mays then examined the house, which they found ir_ a disordered state. Mr. Mays’s clothing and boots were strewn about the kitchen floor. All the drawers in the front bedroom had been ransacked, and the contents tossed out on the floor. A good grey suit was missing, except for the trousers, but a pair of dress trousers had been taken instead. Collars and ties, three shirts, half a dozen handkerchiefs, shoes, and a quantity of underwear had also been taken. Buckley had then visited the bathroom and used Mr. Mays’s razor to shave himself. The washbasin was dirty, and lined with soap and stubble about a quarter of an inch long. A pair of glasses had evidently been tried on, and left on a bedroom chair. Buckley wears glasses. The drawing room was upside down, and silverware was tossed on the floor. A wallet containing £4 was missing from the writing room.

A further examination showed th»i the gas meter had been tampered with, and well over £2 in shillings taken* The meter was last read on May 8. An electric torch belonging to fte* council had also been taken; along wkh the best of Mr. Mays’s wardrobe, inf* eluding an officer’s overcoat. This morning Buckley's old boots were found outside the house, and his old clothes, which had been thrown over the opposite fence. In the old clothes was found a cheque belonging to a Northcote resident, and signed by the office of A. B. Donald. When landing from the ferry steamer at Northcote last evening, after visiting the city, Mrs. Mays said to her husband. ’Til bet Buckley has been at our house.” This morning the police identified the old clothes as those belonging to Buckley, as there was a red stripe down the leg of the trousers. BUCKLEY RECOGNISED About nine o'clock last evening a strange man called at Mr. McNab’s store, which is opposite Stafford Road, and bought some boot polish and brushes. The visitor told Mr. McXab that he wanted the brushes to clean his shoes as he had just come in from the country. Mr. McNab recognised Bucklex as he walked out of the shop and as soon as possible afterwards he informed the police, but by the time tHe searchers arrived the man had disappeared. So many false alarms have been given the detectives and warders who are searching the countryside that they have become confused at times. The shoes which were stolen from Mr. Mays's house were coated with, mud, so it is quite likely that Buckley would wish to clean them. Mr. Mays lost about £25 worth o# clothes and money. RELAYS OF SEARCHERS The search is being continued to* day by fresh relays of detectives and warders. Residents of the Birkenhead and Northcote districts are keenly excited and a good w’atch is being kept. Buckley lies low during the day, and now' that he has a supply of clothes and has had a meal he will probably remain quiet during the night.